current best drone for still shots in the...

Jeff Greenberg · Sep 14, 2016

$5K or less category?

$10K or less category?

Would they both involve still camera
purchased independent of the drone...?

Am looking for image quality similar to
what I get from my Sony RX10...

My usage would be limited to not further
away & not higher than about 50ft.

Thanks in advance. :-D :-D :-D
For the Drone Forum, too...

CFster · Sep 15, 2016

Under $5k probably the DJI Inspire with X5 camera (micro 4/3).

Above that the sky is the limit I would guess.

Jeff Greenberg · Sep 15, 2016

> DJI Inspire with X5 camera (micro 4/3)

Thanks for advice.
You own or have used it?
mp? sensor size?

CFster · Sep 15, 2016

Jeff Greenberg said:
> DJI Inspire with X5 camera (micro 4/3)

Thanks for advice.
You own or have used it?
mp? sensor size?

Never used it. I have an Autel XSP, and might upgrade to the Inspire with X5 at some point (or whatever is the new hotness at the time).

Zenmuse X5 camera. 16mp, Micro 4/3 sensor size, 4K video:

http://www.dji.com/zenmuse-x5s/x5

There are drones that carry bigger cameras, like the Freefly Alta:

http://freeflysystems.com/alta-8

All I know is it costs $18k and that doesn't include a camera or gimbal.

mmarian · Sep 24, 2016

Inspire1 from DJI is the best drone/camera in the 5K cathegory. It's dedicated camera takes various 4/3 lenses from Oly 12mm to 45mm. It takes 4K video too, which quality is BTW very good. For stills the JPEG IQ is not as good as Sony RX100 but if shot as DNG and processed carefully in LR it can produce very decent pictures. If RX100 is your benchmark quality Inspire would be the closest around the 5K budget.

Jeff Greenberg · Sep 24, 2016

Thanks.
Is that what you have?
Any links to images?
regards.

mmarian · Sep 24, 2016

I fly my business associate's one when two opetators are required for the shoot. There is plenty of images on RC Grpup Forum and DJI website.

mmarian · Sep 24, 2016

One more thing. There are two versions of the X5 camera. Pro and Raw. The main difference is for video, as the X5R is capable of recording DNG raw footage at very high bit rate. Rumor says that the X5R takes a bit better stills too. I can't confirm it, as we only have the X5R, so we could not compare the stills with the Pro version. The price difference is huge though,so if your main go are still it might be a bit overkill for you. Just my 2 cents worth...

Dennis2958 · Sep 27, 2016

Jeff,

Why not start with a beginners model? The DJI Phantom 4 is a great place to start. Easy to fly and a few safety features to keep you from crashing or have the drone fly away to parts unknown. While the chip size is 1 2/3 or the size of a cellphone. The 12 mp is plenty good enough for Alamy, AGE, Getty, and PE.

Here are a few samples that have passed Alamy QC. I think they are the first 50 or so images. So far several submissions with no rejects. Just had a couple of neat thunderstorm shots accepted today and should go live in the next day or so. I definitely have to shoot DNG raw but the results are really quite good..........at least good enough for the stock agencies. The learning curve is not all that great if you just stick to the basics of up, down, left, right, forward, backwards, sideways, and camera up & down. It does much more but then we are still photographers ( not video guys).

If I start to sell anything I will seriously look at upgrading to a larger sensor model. Keep in mind that the technology is developing fast and you don't want to spend too much now when you will be out of date in a few months.

BTW....bought my drone out of Miami. Good guys down there.

Ken Seals · Sep 27, 2016

mmarian said:
One more thing. There are two versions of the X5 camera. Pro and Raw. The main difference is for video, as the X5R is capable of recording DNG raw footage at very high bit rate. Rumor says that the X5R takes a bit better stills too. I can't confirm it, as we only have the X5R, so we could not compare the stills with the Pro version. The price difference is huge though,so if your main go are still it might be a bit overkill for you. Just my 2 cents worth...

I sat in on a professional video round table (mostly guys who shoot for Hollywood) at InterDrone conference and the consensus was that there is no practical advantage to raw video. I produces better quality, but there is little demand for it over the non raw formats.

mmarian · Sep 27, 2016

Ken Seals said:
mmarian said:

One more thing. There are two versions of the X5 camera. Pro and Raw. The main difference is for video, as the X5R is capable of recording DNG raw footage at very high bit rate. Rumor says that the X5R takes a bit better stills too. I can't confirm it, as we only have the X5R, so we could not compare the stills with the Pro version. The price difference is huge though,so if your main go are still it might be a bit overkill for you. Just my 2 cents worth...

Click to expand...

I sat in on a professional video round table (mostly guys who shoot for Hollywood) at InterDrone conference and the consensus was that there is no practical advantage to raw video. I produces better quality, but there is little demand for it over the non raw formats.

--
Regards,
Ken
FAA Remote Pilot Certificate, ATP ASMEL
Mizzou PJ '66

I have to respectfully disagree with you on this. The RAW footage from X5R has much greater DR and latitude for grading and other post adjustments such as shadows and highlights recovery etc than the standard X5Pro MP4 footage. The diference is actually substantial and those who say orherwise either do not know what they are talking about or have not actually seen the processed RAW footage from the X5R.

Jeff Greenberg · Sep 28, 2016

> you don't want to spend too much now when you will be out of date in a few months.

Thanks for report! Not planning on flying more complicated
than up to about 50 ft high or to either side & always over ground.
By using drone holding mirrorless camera, wouldn't I slow down
out-of-date factor? Reason for spend is tax deduction to claw back
some of sizable photo settlements in future income-producing ways...
(Dennis********d!!!?)
If willing, details about Miami seller...?

Dennis2958 · Sep 28, 2016

Jeff Greenberg said:
If willing, details about Miami seller...?

No problema...........

Drone Nerds I found them really good to work with. No all that far from you and they have a regular store front..........I think.

Jeff Greenberg · Sep 28, 2016

Aventura:

https://www.google.com/maps/place/D...0!3m1!1s0x88d9ac572d188623:0x472241f88d32725c

Dennis2958 · Sep 28, 2016

Neat........you can run over there, get all of your questions answered, then report back here. Remember we are photographers not "real" pilots. ;-)

How a man made harbor is protected from high winds and waves

Jeff Greenberg · Sep 28, 2016

Maybe better OP question would be...

What are some better drones that can carry
some of better 1' or 1.6x mirrorless cameras
sporting wide angle lens? Do any drones allow
remote zooming of wide-to-normal lens?

Jeff Greenberg · Sep 28, 2016

DMacD: both photos top notch!!

Dennis2958 · Sep 28, 2016

Jeff Greenberg said:
DMacD: both photos top notch!!

Plenty good enough for stock. That's why I suggest you look at the Phantom 4 or some sort of equivalent. Get your feet wet to first see if stock photography will hold up enough to justify the expense. Then if your accountant says to spend money then go for a better model.

BTW.... you will fly to the max altitude of 400'. It's a macho thing.

Ken Seals · Sep 29, 2016

mmarian said:
Ken Seals said:

mmarian said:

One more thing. There are two versions of the X5 camera. Pro and Raw. The main difference is for video, as the X5R is capable of recording DNG raw footage at very high bit rate. Rumor says that the X5R takes a bit better stills too. I can't confirm it, as we only have the X5R, so we could not compare the stills with the Pro version. The price difference is huge though,so if your main go are still it might be a bit overkill for you. Just my 2 cents worth...

Click to expand...

I sat in on a professional video round table (mostly guys who shoot for Hollywood) at InterDrone conference and the consensus was that there is no practical advantage to raw video. I produces better quality, but there is little demand for it over the non raw formats.

Click to expand...

Jeff Greenberg · Oct 2, 2016

DMacD & all,

Went to Drone Nerds yesterday.
Rep said 5 mi limit on airports & ship ports.
Is that aerial of a port?
If you don't mind saying, did anyone confront?
With that rule, technically all of South Beach is
within 5 miles of Port of Miami!!!
regards

current best drone for still shots in the...

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